You're not going to see Waterford or Central Valley in the playoffs a week from now, but it's quite possible both will be earning a postseason berth in 2012 after their strong finishes this fall. Their late-season runs were fueled by runners who will be back for at least one more season — Waterford junior Branson Angle and CV soph Ja'Quan Gardner.
Angle was the No. 2 option back in August behind Dylan Gonzalez. After running for 1,439 yards as a sophomore, Gonzalez ran for 576 yards and seven TDs in five weeks until a knee injury sidelined him.
In his absence, the stocky Angle took over and finished with 916 yards and 8 TDs. He averaged 6.9 yards a carry and finished the fall with a 234-yard outing vs. Denair as the Wildcats finished 5-5. Also returning is QB Josh Hickman.
Gardner also was forced to take on a bigger role due to an injury , this one sidelining QB Abraham Navarro. Gardner responded with school records in yards (1,985) and TDs (25), and set another Friday with seven TDs to top Ceres 55-21.
"Huge year for a sophomore against a brutal schedule," said CV coach Tim Garcia, whose club plays in the WAC with Los Banos, Patterson and Central Catholic. "The future is very bright. Our JV team was 7-3 and has two solid backs to join Gardner. We had six juniors and a sophomore on defense, and Navarro is back for a fourth varsity season at QB.
"It was a clean sweep (freshman, JV and varsity) against crosstown rivals. it was a great way to end the season and propel us into the offseason for the 2012 season."
• YOUNG KNIGHTS — Speaking of returning RBs, the list has to include RC's Andrew Brown. A sophomore, he capped his regular season with 323 yards and five TDs in a 62-9 win over Gustine — clinching a playoff berth for RC.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Brown has 1,379 yards and 21 TDs on the ground, with 28 catches for 467 yards and five more scores. Also returning is QB Danny Vos, a junior who has thrown for nearly 1,900 yards offense and 17 TDs.
• DOWN TO THE WIRE — No team came closer to missing a playoff berth than Linden. Manuel Robles booted a 27-yard field goal with 2 seconds left to beat Summerville 30-27 and clinch a playoff berth.
Summerville, which had a slight playoff shot with a win, led 21-0 at halftime after Tanner Krieg ran for two TDs and was still ahead 27-7 after three quarters.
• IT'S MIGUEL'S TIME — Escalon's Josh Miguel began his playoff run by turning a mere 14 carries into 274 yards and four TDs during a 69-7 rout of Modesto Christian. It seems as if Miguel has been quiet this season, but that's not reality.
He had 1,106 yards and 17 TDs in the regular-season a year ago, and he has 1,035 yards and 16 TDs in his first 10 games this fall. He had 634 yards and 10 TDs to lead the Cougars to five playoff wins and the state title last fall — and was named The Bee's Player of the Year.
Escalon had four sacks and two picks vs. MC's Nate Sudfeld, who has a verbal to University of Arizona. MC is also going to the playoffs, one of five TVL teams moving on.
• MANTECA MENACE — The Buffs used to own their series with rival East Union, going undefeated and unchallenged from 2001-2008. The closest win was by 19 points and the average margin was 38 points.
EU stunned Manteca a year ago and threatened again before the Buffs rallied Friday to a 35-21 win. EU had tied the game at 14 in the second half, but Manteca's defense responded: EU had minus yards on offense in the fourth quarter.
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